Hello welcome in this festive edition of the ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas.

Shaka Hissop is with us here in the studio, Jan Arga Fjortov and Julian Julianne are also here to join in these celebrations.

You may be wondering, well where were all the decorations?

I was.

Craig Burley was in charge.

And of course, no surprise there he couldn't be caught in.

Of course tradition at this time a year to reflect on what we saw happen in 2023 today, no exception.

But we thought we'd get Shaka's parranking.

What? Of the top 10 stories that we saw in the calendar year.

As its tradition, we'll start with number 10.

Right.

Do you remember what that was?

VAR.

Under scrutiny.

Oh.

Listen, I continue to be a huge advocate for VAR and how it can improve the game,

but the missteps are just kind of undermining or giving credence to those who've always

kind of doubted it.

I just feel get a protocol, stick to it, and less of this kind of trying to figure it out.

I don't understand why the domestic leagues have made it so hard to manage when in international tournaments and yes I

understand it's a shorter format and fewer games in a closer closer time but it just seems to be one error after the next

down to even communication not able to get that right and that that's damaging.

...